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Governance and leadership

The World Food Programme (WFP) is governed by the WFP Executive Board, which consists of 36 Member States and provides intergovernmental support, direction and supervision of WFP’s activities.

The organization is headed by an Executive Director, who is appointed jointly by the UN Secretary-General and the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The Executive Director is appointed for fixed five-year terms and is responsible for the administration of the organization as well as the implementation of its programmes, projects and other activities. Since 2017, the post has been held by David Beasley.

WFP also has one Deputy Executive Director and three Assistant Executive Directors with specific briefs.

The organization's direction is mapped out in its Strategic Plan, which is renewed every four years. The 2017–2021 Strategic Plan aligns WFP with the 2030 Agenda, focusing on ending hunger and contributing to revitalized global partnerships to implement the Sustainable Development Goals.

WFP relies entirely on voluntary contributions for its funding. Its principal donors are governments, but the organization also receive donations from the private sector and individuals.

Executive Board

The Executive Board is WFP's supreme governing body. Comprising 36 States Members of the United Nations or Member Nations of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Board provides intergovernmental support, policy direction and supervision of the activities of WFP.

Executive Director

Senior leadership

David Beasley - Executive Director

In a public service and business career that spans more than four decades, David Beasley, a former governor of the US state of South Carolina, has worked across political, religious and ethnic lines to champion economic development, education, interfaith cooperation and humanitarian assistance for the most vulnerable – not just within the United States, but across the globe.

Amir Mahmoud Abdulla - Deputy Executive Director

Amir Mahmoud Abdulla became the Deputy Executive Director of the World Food Programme in March 2009. Mr Abdulla is currently based in Rome and leads the implementation of the new corporate architecture aligning WFP’s strategy, programme structure, financial management, and planning, monitoring and reporting to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals at country level. In addition to his WFP responsibilities, he was appointed Vice-Chair of the United Nations Development Group (UNDG) in January 2016.

Manoj Juneja - Assistant Executive Director

Manoj Juneja became Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Executive Director for Resource Management at the World Food Programme in January 2013. Prior to joining WFP, from July 2011, he served as Deputy Director-General for Operations at the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Mr Juneja joined FAO in 1987, where he held senior management roles as Director of Programme, Budget and Evaluation (2005-07) and Assistant Director-General of Corporate Services, Human Resources and Finance Department (2008-11).

Ute Klamert - Assistant Executive Director

Ute Klamert became WFP Assistant Executive Director for Partnerships & Governance in February 2019. In this role, Ms. Klamert oversees the organization's partnerships and resource mobilization activities with governments, UN agencies, private sector and other partners.

Valerie Guarnieri - Assistant Executive Director

Valerie Guarnieri became Assistant Executive Director in January 2018. In this role, she
brings together and oversees essential elements of WFP global operations, including emergency
preparedness and response, programme and policy, nutrition and supply chain to ensure essential
support to vulnerable, food insecure people around the world.

Rehan Asad - Chief of Staff

Rehan Asad was appointed as WFP’s Chief of Staff in July 2017. The new Department headed by Mr Asad will focus on strengthening the role WFP plays as one of the world’s leading humanitarian agencies while at the same time helping develop its strategic and progressive vision. Reporting to him are a range of Units and Departments including Cash-based Transfers, Communications, Information Technology, Innovation and Change Management, and the Office of the Executive Director.